"And all the congregation of the children of Israel
journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeying,
according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in
Rephidim...Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim"
(Exodus, 17:1,8).
The biblical Rephidim is today's Feiran (Firan, Faran,
Pharan) Oasis in the Sinai. The Greek Seven Girls' Monastery
(it may be referred to as the Monastery of Moses, the
Monastery of Feiran, the Seven Sisters Monastery, the
Monastery of the Seven Nuns or even Dir Za'ir Monastery) is
located on a spring in the middle of the oasis where it is
thought that Joshua defeated the Amalekites while Moses and
Aaron gave
prayerful support. Many visitors to Egypt who go on
to the Sinai will visit the convent on their way to or coming
from St. Catherine's Monastery. Today, the Seven Girl's
Monastery falls under the authority of St. Catherine's
Monastery.
Old paths lead to the top of Jabel Tehuna which overlooks
the wadi, and passes through the remains of ancient graves and
buildings, including two Byzantine churches. It is from this
mountain that Moses supposedly observed the battle with the
Amelecites.

The Old Pharan Archbishopric
The Wadi Feiran is a beautiful four kilometer area
surrounded by palms, vines and trees and is the Southern
Sinai's largest oasis, often called the "Pearl of the
Sinai". A little of everything is cultivated here, from
corn to barley, wheat to tamarisks, but the main harvest is
still dates.


Exterior and Interior of the Church of the
Prophet Moses
The Oasis is also one of the first Christian centers in the
Sinai. This was once the seat of the archbishop of Sinai
(from the 4th through the 6th century) and the ruins of the
archbishopric can be seen near the convent. The convent
itself was established in the fourth century, but the oasis
Christian community is mentioned as far back as the second
century and there are references to early Anchorites (the
predecessors of monks) here as early as 365 AD.

Church of St. Cosmas
Near the Oasis is also, according to legend as well as
locals and some scholars, the rock that Moses struck with his
staff to bring forth a spring so his people could drink.

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